Anchorman Peter Rivera: Welcome to News-channel 6. Out top story today takes place at the newly opened AA Clinic (Animal Abortion Clinic). Protesters and supporters have gathered outside. But before we take you to the action, we have a News Channel 6 exclusive interview with the clinic’s controversial proprietor, Dr. Algore Vorkian. With the interview, here’s Hillary Clift.

HC: Dr. Vorkian, what gave you the idea to open up an Animal Abortion Clinic?

AV: Animals should have the same rights as people. Women have the right to abortions, so animals should have that right also.

HC: How do you respond to your critics who claim that, for example, a dog abortion, is the senseless killing of innocent puppies.

AV: It’s simple. The female dog’s right of choice outweighs the potential puppies right to life. Remember, the puppies¾ I mean fetuses¾ are only potential life until they are completely born.

HC: Yes, but aren’t they usually fully formed, with paws, ears, heartbeat, and hair?

AV: Technically, yes. But the courts have ruled that it is only "potential" life and not protected by the SPCA and animal cruelty laws until birth. The one exception to this are animals on the endangered species list. It’s illegal to abort them even if the animal mother so desires. Nature’s right to diverse speciation over rules the animals right to abortion.

HC: I see. Nature’s right to have a variety of species is greater than the animal’s right not to have babies, which in turn is greater than the babies’ right to life?

AV: Exactly!

HC: What procedures do you have to perform abortions.

AV: Our techniques are similar to human abortions, with a few modifications and different names. The most common methods for human abortions are the Suction Aspiration, D & C, D & E, and Saline injection types.

HC: Could you describe some of these techniques?

AV: Well, in the suction type, we insert a powerful mini-vacuum into the animal’s uterus. The vacuum has a suction force some 28 times greater than your normal household vacuum. Using this device, we suck out the contents of the uterus¾ placenta, fetuses, and whatever. The contents are sucked into a container to be disposed of.

HC: It sounds rather barbaric.

AV: Remember, these are not living animals, they are only potentially alive. This is no worse than what goes on in human abortion clinics every day and you don’t hear the media calling that barbaric.

HC: Haven’t some animal mothers been seriously injured as a result of this procedure?

AV: Well, we are not required to keep statistics on these matters. I’m sure there are injuries, but we are not sure about the extent of these injuries.

HC: What about the other procedures?

AV: Well, we use two other procedures. One is the saline injection. We call this "fried puppy" method.

HC: Isn’t that rather heartless?

AV: The method or the name?

HC: Both!

AV: Well, the name is a way for us in the business to divert ourselves from the seriousness and the implications of what we are doing. As for the procedure, it burns and poisons the animals so that they look shriveled and "fried."

HC: You mentioned two other procedures, what is the other one?

AV: We use the C & V procedure for pedigreed animals. This is the same as a D & C abortion for humans, only we changed the name to more aptly describe the procedure.

HC: What is C & V?

AV: Well, just as a D & C (Dilation and Curettage), a sharp knife is inserted into the womb and the fetuses are cut apart and then removed. We then re-assemble the body parts to make sure we have them all. We do not want to leave any parts in the womb in order to prevent infection in the pedigreed mother. This can be difficult to do when there are multiple fetuses, especially if there are 5 or more puppies¾ I mean fetuses.

HC: Isn’t this method a little cruel?

AV: Possibly, to the uninitiated. But it is quite effective. For example, in a seven-puppy pregnancy, usually six are mutilated beyond recognition, while only one is vacuumed with its head or legs still intact. When you compare that to human abortions, which almost always leave some recognizable body parts, you’ll find that our method is much more efficient.

HC: By the way, you said you call the procedure C & V, not D & C. Why?

AV: Like I said, we renamed the procedure to more aptly describe what happens. We call it Chainsaw and Vacuum.

HC: What are your future plans?

AV: we hope to open up AA Clinics nation wide so that every animal can exercise its right to control its own body. For too long now, animals have had no other choice. It was get pregnant and let nature take its course. Now the animal can have a choice that nature does not allow.

HC: But earlier you said that nature’s right to diverse species was greater than the animal’s right to have an abortion. Now you are saying that the animal has a right to go against nature.

AV: Well, yes. There is a difference between what is good for nature as a whole and a specific event, such as a birth, that takes place within nature. You see, there are no absolutes in nature.

HC: What about spaying and neutering?

AV: Those are still choices, but I think we have the better solution. This way the animal does not have to fear the consequences of never being able to bear offspring. That possibility is still open. We are giving them an alternative¾ a choice for all free, open-minded, self-serving, animals to have an abortion if they want to. We have a slogan, "Abort an animal a day, watch the strays go away."

Anchorman PR: Now we go live to the AA Clinic where correspondent Dan Brokaw is reporting.

DB: Thank you Peter. I’m standing on 34^th Street right across from the newly opened clinic. As you can see, both supporters and protesters are marching out front voicing their opinion on the clinic.

PR: Dan, who seems to be in charge of the protests?

DB: well, there are several animal rights advocacy groups who are opposed to the clinic. They are fearful that this will be the first step in a slippery slope devaluating the value of animal life. They seem to be spearheaded by the SPCA, which sees the clinic as promoting cruelty to animals. Earlier, I talked to the head of the SPCA, James Audubon.

DB: Thank you Mr. Audubon for speaking with us. Tell me, why are you so opposed to the Animal Abortion Clinic.

JA: For several reasons. First, it is cruel to the mother. No one wants to admit it or talk about it, but abortions are harmful to the health of the mother. Animals that have abortions have psychological, almost guilt like symptoms, when the abortions are performed. At least 1 in 10 experience physical side effects that are detrimental the animal’s health.

Then, too, it is cruel and inhumane to kill the fetuses in such an inhumane manner. We know that the fetuses are capable of feeling pain before they are born. Therefore, an abortion, inflicts severe pain to the fetuses.

DB: But aren’t they just that, fetuses, and therefore, not really animals in the fullest since.

JA: Listen, they were distinct organisms from the moment of conception. They were alive from that point and therefore, to harm them on purpose is tantamount to cruelty.

DB: But I thought the courts decided that life doesn’t begin until birth.

JA: Actually, they determined that it might begin at viability, but viability is an ambiguous term. Science tells us that life begins at conception. You can’t argue with science unless you use emotionally charged stories coupled with erroneous facts.

DB: What do you say to those who charge you with hypocrisy? You know, you are in favor of the death penalty for animals. The SPCA "puts to sleep" thousands of animals every day. Isn’t this cruelty to animals?

JA: This is not cruelty, this is doing them a service. We are alleviating their suffering. Since their quality of life has diminished, it seems best to go ahead and euthanize them. This is a far cry from killing, say, a puppy that still has a good quality of life ahead of it.

DB: But wouldn’t Dr. Vorkian, the head of the clinic, argue that he too is promoting the quality of life?

JA: What do you mean?

DB: Well, wouldn’t he argue that he is providing the mother a better quality of life by offering her an abortion. She is not burdened with caring for the puppies or nursing them. She can go ahead and get on with her life.

JA: Maybe so, but it doesn’t follow. What is more important, her quality of life or the puppies’ right to life?

DB: What about those who are using physical, even violent means to protest the clinics?

JA: I guess you are referring to groups like Operation Salvation. While we sympathize with their position, we disagree with their methods and think that they will actually do more harm than good. Even if they were justified in their actions, which I don’t think they are, their method is not going to help us win this battle in the long run. Violence will not prevent cruelty and senseless killing. It will only promote it. It is hypocritical to use violence against humans to prevent violence against animals.

DB: How do you plan to protest then?

JA: Well, I am sure that we will try to use the judicial system if possible. The science technology is available to prove our position if we can get a court to hear our case. Second, we will continue to try to educate the masses showing what abortion is really like. It is amazing how many change their minds after hearing a presentation of the facts.

DB: Thank you Dr. Audubon for being with us.

DB: Peter, things are heating up out here. The animal rights people are almost at an evangelistic fervor as they march in front of the clinic while the clinic supporters are hurling all kinds of epithets at the protestors.

PR: Dan, have you been able to talk to any of the crowd?

DB: I’m heading over to the clinic supporters right now.

DB: Hi! This is Dan Brokaw with Channel 6 News. Tell me, why are you out here in support of the clinic?

CS1: These fanatical, animal extremists are going to take away my animal’s freedom. My dog has a right to do with her body what she or I want her to do. Besides, my dog is only 1 year old and is too young to have puppies. She’s not ready for the responsibility.

CS2: Yeah, I already have 3 dogs. I don’t have room for any more.

DB: Why not give them up for adoption?

CS2: Too much hassle.

DB: You just said that your dog has the right to do with her body what you or she wants. Why do you have a say in it? Shouldn’t it just be the dog’s choice?

CS1: Listen, the dog is mine. She can’t make this decision on her own. She needs me as a counselor.

DB: But aren’t you only providing her with one option, without showing her the other possibilities?

CS1: Listen, I’m giving her the best option. If it’s the best, why tell her about the others?

DB: What if it’s not the best?

CS1: Listen, I decide what is best. I’m more educated than my dog. She needs my counsel and I say abortion is the answer!

CS3: Besides, we need abortion because many of the fathers won’t take responsibility for their actions. In many cases we don’t even know who the father is.

DB: Is that the puppy’s fault? Do you punish or kill the puppy for the father’s negligence?

CS3: Listen, until it is born, it ain’t no puppy, it’s just a fetus. It’s just an unwanted consequence of animal behavior.

DB: So the solution is to kill the consequence instead of curb the behavior?

CS3: It’s not killing if it isn’t living. Yes, we should try to curb the behavior, too. But animals are going to do it anyway! We need some sort of solution.

DB: There you have it Peter. I’ll report back in a minute from the other side.

PR: Thanks Dan. While we are waiting for Dan to cross the street, let me tell you that the police are in the area to make sure that violence doesn’t break out between the two groups. Also, armored guards have been called in to escort the clinic’s first deposit to the bank. According to sources inside the clinic, the clinic made over $26,000 in its first week of operation. That translates into 1.3 million dollars per year. I think Dan is ready for his report.

DB: Thanks Peter. I’m here with Eleanor Boxer. Eleanor, why are you out here protesting the clinic?

EB: It is unconscionable to think that we would allow this barbaric murdering of innocent animals to be taking place in our city. Listen, there are plenty of homes willing to take these animals in. These mothers’s are being so selfish. They are only thinking about themselves, not their offspring.

DB: But isn’t it their right to have an abortion if they want to?

EB: Do I have a right to murder? No. This is nothing more than people and animals ignoring the plain facts of the situation. There is no way that you can say that the "fetuses" are not lives that deserve protection. You can’t argue against it scientifically, theologically, logically, or morally. It is pure selfishness, irresponsibility, and money that fuel the abortion side.

DB: But hasn’t the Supreme Court decided that this is a right granted by the Constitution?

EB: I have two responses to that. The Supreme Court was wrong. A bunch of liberal, judicial activist judges made law while ignoring the evidence at hand. They admitted that if it can be proved that the fetus is indeed a life, then the "appellant’s case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life is then guaranteed specifically by the [Fourteenth] Amendment." Well, it can be shown that it is a life and therefore, the arguments used should be considered moot."

Second, abortion stops a beating heart. By the time you know that the dog is pregnant, the puppies’ hearts are already beating. It’s not just a mass of tissue, it’s a beating heart with lungs, blood, eyes, paws, and a cute little tail.

DB: Isn’t that Barbara Rodham over there?

EB: You know her?

DB: I’ve been following the animal rights movement for quite a while. Wasn’t she jailed for protesting the first AA Clinic when it opened last year in New York?

EB: Yes, she was. Do you know why she was arrested?

DB: I read that she created quite a scene when she presented the mayor of the city with a bag full of aborted puppies.

EB: Yes. She was trying to show in a real way, the awful, horrible nature of animal abortions.

DB: But isn’t that a little gross?

EB: It’s the procedure that is gross and uncivil, not showing the result of the procedure. No one complained too much about Spielberg’s movie Private Ryan even though it was very explicit. So why not showing a real atrocity. The left doesn’t mind showing blood and gore if it fits their agenda (even when they must re-interpret the facts), but they don’t like it when it contradicts their position and proves them wrong.

DB: Well, Peter, there you have it.

PR: Thank you Dan. Before we take a commercial break and come back for the weather, let me urge you to join us tomorrow night for a special report on the Anti-animal Abortion Movement.